20 Travel Scams to Watch For—and How to Avoid Them

Travelling is great fun and comes with many new experiences and adventures. However, travelling can also make you vulnerable to scammers. To avoid being a target, be aware of your surroundings, don’t trust strangers (even when they seem nice), and do your homework before you go.

The best way to avoid being scammed is to know what to look for. Here are 20 of the most common travel scams and how you can avoid them.

Taxi Scam: The Broken Meter

Arriving at a train station or airport may require taking a cab. Since these areas have many visitors unfamiliar with local prices, unscrupulous cabbies try to get away with charging much higher rates. They claim the cab meter is broken and offer a flat fee much higher than the real rate.

To avoid this scam, ask directly before the ride for an estimate and ensure the meter is working.

Welcome Gift Scam: A Bad Scene

A friendly local offering a small, charming gift upon your arrival, like a charm or bracelet, might approach you as you arrive at your destination. It seems like a sweet gesture; however, in many cases, it is a nefarious gesture.

What was a gift suddenly has a price, and you have a local demanding money and causing a scene. Simply say no to these kinds of offers and walk away. It only works if you participate.

“Sorry, Your Hotel Is Closed”

If you arrive at your destination only for a cab driver to tell you your hotel is closed, or otherwise discourage you from your original booking, ignore them and call your hotel immediately.

Many second-rate hotels pay drivers for bringing in guests, and you are the one who will be left with a subpar accommodation on your trip.

Money Exchange Scams & Ripp-Offs

Money exchange scams are everywhere! They range from flashy kiosks with high rates and lots of fees to scammers who will outright steal your money. Avoid the problem altogether by only using reputable money changers such as banks and airport exchange counters.